Fluid-pressure coupling.



L. D. WOODRUFF.

FLUID PRESSURE COUPLING.

VAPPUCATION FILED 0Ec.|0.1915.

1,1 90,062. Patented July 4, 1916.

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. ltwm s L. D. WOODRUFF. FLUID PRESSURE COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 10, 1915.

Patented July 4, 1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

L. D. WOODRUFF.

FLUID PRESSURE COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 10, 1915.

1,1 90,062. Patented July 4, 1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3 L. 0. WOODRUFF.

FLUID PRESSURE COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.I0. 1915. 1,1 90 062. Patented July 4, 1916.

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LEONIDAS D. WOODRUFF, OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY.

FLUID-PRESSURE COUPLING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 4, 1916.

Application filed December 10, 1915. Serial Ito. 66,178.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LEONIDAS D. VVoon- RUFF, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newport, in the county of Campbell and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fluid- Pressure Couplings; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and

exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming partof this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in fluid pressure coupling systems, more particularly to an automatic fluid pressure coupling for the pipe lines of a train of railway cars.

The primary object of the present improvement is to produce a coupling of this nature, so arranged that interlocked or coupled coupler heads mounted on adjacent cai's may yield laterally although held substantially rigid laterally when uncoupled. 'A limited lateral movement of the coupling when the heads are coupled is of particular advantage in fluid pressure couplings for train pipe systems, because transverse strains and stresses on the parts due to relative lateral displacement of adjacent cars when turning curves, are absorbed by the yielding of the coupling and thus danger of destruction of any of the parts of the coupling, or breaking of the continuous connection between the cars is considerably decreased. In addition, a coupling eonstruction in accordance with the present invention will be held substantially rigid laterally when the coupler head thereof is un coupled, so as to properly support the parts at this time and prevent lateral wabbling during the coupling operation.

A full understanding of the invention will be attained from the ensuing detailed description of a construction embodying the same in a preferred form when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out and specified in the appended claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a fluid pressure coupling con-' structed in accordance with the present improvements. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same and showing cooperating coupler heads in interlocked relation. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the coupler head and a portion of the coupler shank looking in a direction opposite from that in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken in a plane indicated by the line of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 55 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line 66 of Fig. 5, and Fi 7 is a transverse section on the line 77 of Fig. 5.

Like characters of reference in the several figures indicate the same parts.

In the form illustrated, the coupling, which, for presentpurposes, may be generally designated as the coupler head A and theshank sections B, ispreferably mounted on a turn-table suspended from some part beneath the under-frame of a railway car. The turn-table illustrated in the drawings is of a type which permits the entire coupllng to be swung laterally to either side of the end of a car, under certain conditions, for instance, when it is desired to extend the pilot of an engine underneath the car in shifting the same, without interference from the coupler. A turn-table of this type is shown a-nddescribed in my prior Patent- No. 1,06G,35-l, granted to me July 1, 1913, and

includes a yoke 1 adapted to be fastened to I a part of the under-frame of a railway car, such as the draw-bar 2 of the usualcoupling. The yoke 1 is provided at its lower end ,with a disk or table 52 having a central opening 3 for the reception of headed pin r. Supported by pin 4, which is provided with a transverse. key 5, for this purpose, is a second disk or table (3. Table 6 is located beneath table 2 and is provided in the front with a vertically projecting flange 7 having a. portion 8 overhanging upper table 2. Said overhanging portion 8 of the flange 7 has a central notch 90f sutl'icient width to tit a lever lOpivotally mounted on a suitable support 11 carried by upper table 2. Lever 10 is provided with a weight 12 at its free end so as to hold said lever normally locked within notch 9 and thereby prevent movement of table (3 relatively to table 2.

By elevating lever 10 out of notch 9 lower table (3 may be rotated until lever 10 falls off either end 8, 8" of overhanging portion 8, and thus the coupling may be shifted to one side or the other of the car as'desired. Vt hen lever 10 is within central notch 9 the coupling is positioned in direct alinement with the draw-bar of the car, and securely locked against rotation in such position.

Depending from the inner end of lower table 6 is a shank supporting plate or vertieal bracket 13 braced by suitable side arms 1% so as to form a substantially rigid struc ture. Vertical bracket 13 forms a stop against which rests one of the sections, such as the outer section 15 of a telescopic coupler shank B. The inner section 15 of said shank is slidable longitudinally within said outer section 15 and carries at its outer end the fluid pressure coupler head A. At the end of the coupler head adjacent inner shank section 15 is a fianged seat 16 between which and vertical bracket 13 is a coil, preferably a helical spring 17. The spring 17 is of sufficient strength to keep shank section 15 and coupler head A normally extended a distance beyond the end platform of a car.

The particular feature of the present invention lies in the means for permitting said coupler head A to yield laterally when coupled with the coupler head of another car and for holding it substantially rigid laterally when uncoupled. In shank section lo are upper and lower alined longitudinally extending slots 18, said slots having outer enlarged portions 18 and inner re stricted portions 18. Mounted in upper and lower alined openings in shank section 15 and positioned to engage in slot 18 is a key 19, said key 19 being of a width to fit nicely within the restricted portions 18 of slots 18. Key 19 may be retained in position by providing its upper end with a head 19 and securing its lower end with a transverse cotter pin 19, shank section 15 being cut away at this point to permit insertion of the cotter pin.

In coupling the shank section 15 is moved inwardly longitudinally by the pressure of the coupler heads as shown in dotted lines in Fig. :2, and this inward movement of the shank section 15 is effective to cause the key 19 to register with the enlarged portion 18 of the slot thereby permitting said shank section 15 and its coupler head B to yield laterally relatively to the other shank section 15. lVhen extended. key 19 is in the restricted portion 18 of the slot, thus holding the shank section 15 substantially rigid laterally. In this position, the action of the key 19 to center the inner section within the outer section is assisted by projections or buttons 20 and 21 mounted on opposite sides of the outer face of shank section 15". These buttons 20. 21, are adapted to engage ribs 22, :23, projecting respectively from opposite sides of the inner wall of outer shank section 15 (see Fig. 6) and hold shank section l5 against lateral movement. Under all conditions it is desirable that shank section 15 be held against vertical movement tion. These ribs respectively engage the mid and inner portions of shank section 15 and prevent any vertical movement thereof relative to the other shank section.

The inner end of shank section 15 is pivoted by means of a pin 26 to the inner bearing member 27 of the vertical bracket 13. Said pin 26 may be inserted through a side bracket 14 of vertical bracket 13, as shown more particularly in Fig. 4. To permit the coupler head A to be raised, for instance, when it is out of proper alineinent with cooperating coupler head carried by the adjacent car, the inner end of shank section 15 is inclined to the vertical as shown at 28 so as to permit it to yield slightly in a vertical direction.

The coupler head A is of a type adapted to effect fluid pressure coupling with the air, steam and signal lines of a train, when brought into coupled relation with another coupler head of similar construction carried by an adjacent car. The coupler head includes inclined guiding arms 29, 30, on one side thereof having a recess 31 intermediate the inner ends of said arms. These arms are adapted to guide a pin 32 projecting from the opposite coupler to be interlocked therewith. Ad acent to said recess and formed vertically in the end of the coupler is a slot 33 having a closed top and bottom and projecting from the opposite side of the coupler is a tongue 3st. it being understood that the tongue 3% of either coupler is to be fitted into the slot of the other coupler. The said coupler heads are shown as provided with a plurality of passageways extending therethrough and designated respectively by numerals 35, 36, 37. to which the pipes 35, 36, 37, are adapted to be connected. as shown in Fig. Pipe 35* repre sents the signal line of a train; pipe 36 the air line of a train; pipe 37 the steam or heat line of a train. The termini of the passage-ways are formed in that portion 38 of the coupler just back of the tongue 31. and each terminus will be understood as being provided with a suitable gasket or other construction necessary to make a fluid pressure-tight coupling with the corresponding terminus of a coupler head carried by another car.

In operation. and when two coupler heads of similar construction are brought together, it will be noted that the projecting tongue 34 on each head will engage in its corresponding slot 33 and the pin 32 of each coupler head will be guided Within the recesses 31 between the opposite divergent guiding arms 29, 30. Thus each projecting tongue will fit in a slot in the opposite coupling and the pins are located within the recesses between the guiding arms so that when the coupler heads become engaged, the pins and arms center the heads vertically and the tongues within the slots center them transversely. This construction is described in detail in my prior Patent No. 1,102,622, granted to me July 7, 1914. \Vhen thus coupled, the spring 17 of a coupling is compressed to a considerable extent, in actual practice approximately three inches, and the inward movement imparted to the shank section 15 by the pressure of the coupled coupler heads brings the key 19 into the enlarged portion 18 of the slot within shank section 15". As a result the shank section carrying the coupler head is free to yield laterally although held substantially rigid vertically within shank section 15 by the ribs 24 and 25. This yielding movement is of considerable importance in turning curves, since the strain is thereby taken off the coupler heads themselves and danger of destroying the continuity of the fluid pressure lines at the coupling is greatly reduced. In addition, a much greater flexibility is imparted to the parts of the coupling, and their life will be correspondingly increased.

lVhat is claimed is 1 1. The combination of shank sections mounted on a car and one shank section slidable relatively to the other shank section, a coupler head on the outer end of the slidable shank section, means for extending said slidable shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car, and a connection between the slidable shank section and the other shank section effective to maintain the slidable shank section substantially rigid laterally when the same is extended and also to permit a limited yielding lateral movement thereof when the same is retracted.

2. The combination .of a laterally rigid shank section, another shank section slidable relatively to said laterally rigid shank section, a coupler head on the outer end of the slidable shank section, means for extending said slidable shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car, and a connection between the slidable shank section and the laterally rigid shank section effective to maintain the slidable shank section substantially rigid laterally when the same is extended and also to permit a limited yielding lateral movement thereof when the same is retracted.

3. The combination of a laterally rigid, vertically yieldable shank section, another shank section slidable relatively to said first named shank section, a coupler head on the outer end of the slidable shank section, means for extending said slidable shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car, and a connection between the slidable shank section and said first named shank section effective to maintain the slidable shank section substantially rigid laterally when the same is extended and also to permit a limited yielding lateral movement thereof when the same is retracted.

4. In a fluid pressure coupling of the character described, the combination of shank sections mounted on a car and one shank section slidable relatively to the other shank section, a coupler head on the outer end of the slidable shank section adapted to effect a fluid pressure coupling with a cooperating coupler head mounted on another car, a spring bearing against said coupler head and pressing the head and slidable shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car, said slidable shank section being moved inwardly against the tension of the spring by pressure of the cooperating coupler heads against each other in C0ll])liI1"',';1I1(l a connection between the slidable shank section and the other shank section effective to maintain the slidable shank section substantially rigid laterally when the same is extended by the sprin and to permit a limited yielding lateramovement thereof when the same is moved inwardly by the pressure of the coupled coupler heads.

5. In a fluid pressure coupling of the character described, the combination of shank sections mounted on a car and one shank section slidable relatively to the other shank section, a coupler head at the outer end of the slidable shank section adapted to effect a fluid pressure coupling with a cooperating coupler head mounted on another car, a spring bearing against said coupler head and pressing the head and slidable shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car, said slidable shank section being moved inwardly against the tension of the spring by pressure of the cooperating coupler heads against each other in coupling, a connection between the slidable shank section and the other shank section effective to maintain the slidable shank section substantially rigid laterally when the same is extended by the spring and to permit a limited yielding lateral movement thereof when the same is moved inwardly by the pressure of the coupled coupler heads, and means for preventing vertical movement of the slidable shank section relatively to the other shank section.

(S. In a fluid pressure coupling of the character described, the combination ofshank sections mounted on a car and bodily movable substantially in a vertical plane, one shank section slidable relatively to the other section, a coupler head at the outer end of the slidable shank section adapted to effect a fluid pressure coupling with a cooperating coupler head mounted on another car, a spring bearing against said coupler head and pressing the head and slidable shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car, said slidable shank section being moved inwardly against the tension of the spring by pressure of the cooperating coupler heads against each other in coupling, and a connection between the slidable shank section and the other shank section effective to maintain the slidable shank sec tion substantially rigid laterally when the same is extended by the spring and to permita limited yielding lateral movement thereof when the same-is moved inwardly by the pressure of the coupled coupler heads.

7. In a fluid pressure coupling of the character described, the combination of shank sections mounted on a car and bodily movable substantially in a vertical plane, one shank section slidable relatively to the other shank section, a coupler head at the outer end of the slidable shank section adapted to effect a fluid pressure coupling with a cooperating coupler head mounted on another car, a spring bearing against said coupler head and pressing the head and slidable shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car, said slidable shank section being moved inwardly against the tension of the spring by pressure of the cooperating coupler heads against each other in coupling, a connection between the slidable shank section and the other shank section effective to maintain the slidable shank section substantially rigid laterally when the same is extended by the spring and to permit a limited yielding lateral move ment thereof-when the same is moved inwardly by the pressure of the coupled coupler heads, and means for preventing vertical movement of the slidable shank section relatively to the other shank section.

8. In a fluid pressure coupling of the character described, the combination of telescopic shank sections mounted on a car, one shank section having a limited vertical movement and the other shank section movable longitudinally relatively to the vertically movable shank section, a coupler head on the outer end of the longitudinally movable shank section adapted to eflect a fluid pressure coupling with a cooperating coupler head mounted on another car, a spring bearing against said coupler head and pressing the head and longitudinally movable shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the 211', said longitudinally movable shank section being moved inwardly against the tension of the spring by pressure of the cooperating coupler heads against each other in coupling, and a connection be tween the shank sections effective to maintain the longitudinallymovable shank section substantially rigid laterally when the same is extended by the spring-and to permit a limited yielding lateral movement thereof when the same is moved inwardly by the pressure of the coupled coupler heads.

9. In a fluid pressure coupling of the character described, the combination of telescopic shank sections mounted on a car and bodily movable substantially in a vertical plane, the inner shank section movable longitudinally relatively to the outer shank section, a coupler head on the outer end of the inner shank section adapted to effect a fluid pressure coupling with a cooperating coupler head mounted on another car, a spring bearing against said coupler head and pressing the head and inner shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car, said inner shank section being moved inwardly against the tension of the spring by pressure of the cooperating coupler heads against each other in coupling, a connection between the shank sections effective to maintain the inner shank section substantially rigid laterally when the same is extended by the spring and to permit a limited yielding lateral movement thereof when the same is moved inwardly by the pressure of the coupled coupler heads, and means for prey'enting vertical movement of the inner shank section relatively to the outer shank section.

10. In a fluid pressure coupling of the character described, the combination of telescopic shank sections mounted on a car and bodily movable sulistantially in a vertical plane, the inner shank section movable longitudinally relatively to the outer shank section, a coupler, a coupler head on the outer end of the inner shank section adapted to effect a fluid pressure coupling with a cooperating coupler head mounted on another car, a spring bearing against said coupler head and pressing the head and inner shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car, said inner shank section being moved inwardly against the tension of the spring by pressure of the cooperating coupler heads against each other in coupling a connection between the shank sections eitective to maintain the inner shank section substantially rigid laterally when the same is extended by the spring and to permit a limigzd yielding lateral movement thereof when the same is moved inwardly by the pressure of the coupled coupler heads, and upper and lower projections on the inner wall of the outer shank section and in engagement with the inner shank section to prevent vertical movement of the inner shank section relatively to the outer shank section.

11. In a fluid pressure coupling of the character described, the combination of telescopic shank sections mounted on a car, the inner shank section movable longitudinally relatively to the outer shank section, a coupler head on the outer end of the inner shank section adapted to effect a fluid pressure coupling with a cooperating coupler head mounted on another car, a spring bearing against said. coupler head and pressing the head and inner shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car, said inner shank section being moved inwardly against the tension of the spring by pres: sure of the cooperating coupler heads against each other in coupling, a connection between the shank sections effective to maintain the inner shank section substantially rigid laterally when the same is extended by the spring and to permit a limited yielding lateral movement thereof when the same is moved inwardly by the pressure of the coupled coupler heads, and means for preventing vertical movement of the inner shank.

section relatively to the outer shank section. 12. In a fluid pressure coupling of the character described, the combination of telescopic shank sections mounted-on a car, the

inner shank section movable longitudinally relatively to the outer shank section, a conpler head on the outer end of the inner shank section adapted to effect a fluid pressure coupling with a cooperating coupler head mounted on another car, a spring hearing against the coupler head and pressing the head and inner shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car, said inner shank section being moved inwardly against the tension of. the spring by pressure of the cooperating coupler heads against each other in coupling, a connection between the shank sections effective to maintain the inner shank section substantially rigid laterally when the same is extended by the spring and to permit a limited yielding lateral movement thereof when the same is moved inwardly by the pressure of the coupled coupler heads, and upper and lower projections on the inner wall of the outer shank section and in engagement with the inner shank section to prevent vertical movement of the inner shank section relatively to the outer shank section.

13. In afluid pressure coupling of the character described, the combination of telescopic shank sections mounted on a car, the inner shank section movable longitudinally relatively to the outer shank section, a coupler head on the outer end of the inner shank section adapted to effect a fluid pressure coupling with a cooperating coupler head mounted on another car, a spring bearing against the coupler head and pressing the head and inner shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car, said inner shank section being moved inwardly against the tension of the spring by pressure of the cooperating coupler heads against each other in coupling, a connection between the shank sections effective to maintain the inner shank section substantially rigid laterally when the same is extended by the spring and to permit a limited yielding lateral movement thereof when the same is moved inwardly by the pressure of the coupled coupler heads, and upper and lower longitudinally spaced projections on the inner wall of the outer shank section and in engagement with different portions of the inner shank section to prevent vertical movement of the inner shank section relatively to the outer shank section.

14. In a fluid pressure coupling of the character described, the combination of telescopic shank sections mounted on a car, and movable'bodily substantially in a vertical plane, the inner shank section movable longitudinally relatively to the outer shank section, a coupler head on the outer end of the inner shank section and adapted to effect a fluid pressure coupling with a cooperating coupler head mounted on another car, a spring bearing against the coupler head and pressing the head and inner shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car, said inner shank section being moved inwardly against the tension of the spring by pressure of the cooperating coupler heads against each. other in coupling, a connection between the shank sections effective to maintain the inner shank section substantially rigid laterally when the same is extended by the spring and to permit a limited yielding lateral movement thereof when the same is moved inwardly by the pressure of the coupled coupler heads, and upper and lower longitudinally spaced projections on the inner wall of the outer shank section and in engagement with different portions of the inner shank section to prevent vertical movement of the inner shank section relatively to the outer shank section.

1 5. In a fluid pressure coupling of the character described, the combination of telescopic shank sections mounted on a car, the inner shank section movable longitudinally relatively to the outer shank section, a coupler head on the outer end of the inner shank section and adapted to effect a fluid pressure coupling with a cooperating coupler head mounted on another car, a spring bearing against the coupler head and pressing the head and inner shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car, said inner shank section being moved inwardly against the tension of the spring by pressure of the cooperating coupler heads against each other in coupling, a connection between the shank sections effective to maintain the inner shank section substantially rigid laterally when the same is extended by the spring and to permit a limited, yielding, lateral movement thereof when the same is movedinwardly by the pressure of the coupled coupler heads, and additional means for centering the inner shank section within the outer shank section when the inner shank section is extended.

16. In a fluid pressure coupling of the character described, the combination of telescopic shank sections mounted on a car, the inner shank section movable longitudinally relatively to the outer shank section, a coupler head on the outer end of the inner shank section and adapted to effect a fluid pressure coupling with a coo 'ierating coupler head mounted on another car, a spring bearing against the coupler head and pressing the head and inner shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car, said inner shank section being moved inwardly against the tension of the spring by pressure of the cooperating coupler head against each other in coupling, a connection between the shank sections effective to maintain the inner shank section substantially rigid laterally when the same is extended by the spring and to permit a limited yielding lateral movement thereof when the same is moved inwardly by the pressure of the coupled coupler heads, side projections on the inner wall of the outer shank section and side projections on the outer wall of the inner shank section positioned to engage the first-named side projections when the inner shank section is extended and to center the same within the outer shank section.

17. In a fluid pressure coupling of the character described, the combination of telescopic shank sections mounted on a car, and bodily movable substantially in a vertical plane, the inner shank section movable longitudinally relatively to the outer shank section, a coupler head on the outer end of the inner shank section and adapted to effect a fluid pressure coupling with a cooperating coupler head mounted on another car, a spring bearing against the coupler head and pressing the head and inner shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car, said inner shank section being moved inwardly against the tension of the spring by pressure of the cooperating coupler heads against each other in coupling, a connection between the shank sections effective to maintain the inner shank section substantially rigid laterally when the same is extended by the spring and to permit a limited, yielding, lateral movement thereof when the same is moved inwardly by the pressure of the coupled coupler hauls, side projections on the inner wall of the outer shank section and side projections on the outer wall of the inner shank section positioned to engage the first named side projections when the inner shank section is extended and to center the same within the outer shank section.

18. In a fluid pressure coupling of the character described, the combination of telescopic shank sections mounted on a car and bodily movable substantially in a vertical plane, the inner shank section movable longitudinally relatively to the outer shank section, a coupler head on the outer end of the inner shank section and adapted to etfect a fluid pressure coupling with a cooperating coupler head mounted on another car, a spring bca ring against the coupler head and pressing the head and inner shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car, said inner shank section being moved inwardly against the tension of the spring by pressure of the cooperating coupler heads against each other, in coupling, a connection between the shank sections effective to maintain the inner shank section substantially rigid laterally when the same is extended by the spring and to permit a limited, yieldin lateral movement thereof when the same is moved inwardly by the pressure of the coupled coupler heads, additional means for centering the inner shank section laterally within the outer shank section when the inner shank section is extended, and means for preventing vertical movement of the inner shank section relatively to the outer shank section.

19. In a fluid pressure coupling of the character described. the combination of telescopic shank sections mounted on a car and bodily movable substantially in a vertical plane, the inner shank section movable longitudinally relatively to the outer shank section, a coupler head on the outer end of the inner shank section and adapted to effect a fluid pressure coupling with a cooperating coupler head mounted on another car, a spring bearing against the coupler head and pressing the head and inner shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car, said inner shank section being moved inwardly against the tension of the spring by pressure of the cooperating coupler heads against each other in coupling, a connection between the shank sections eifective to maintain the inner shank section substantially rigid laterally when the same is extended by the spring and to permit a limited yielding lateral movement thereof when the same is moved inwardly by the pressure of the coupled coupler heads. additional means for centering the inner shank section laterally within the outer shank section, and upper and lower projections on the. inner wall of the. outer shank section and in engagement with the inner shank section to prevent vertical moven'ient of the inner shank section relatively to the outer shank section.

20. In a fluid pressure coupling of the character described, the combination of telescopic shank sections mounted on a car, one of said sections being pivotally mounted on a vertical bracket suspended from the car having its inner end hearing against the face of said bracket, said inner end being inclined to the vertical, whereby the shank section is permitted a limited vertical movement, the other shank section being movable longitudinally relatively to the vertically movable shank section, a coupler head on the outer end of the longitudinally movable shank section adapted to effect a fluid pressure coupling with a cooperating coupler head mounted on another car, a spring hearing against said coupler head and pressing the head and longitudinally movable shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car said longitudinally movable shank section being moved inwardly against the tension of the spring pressure of the cooperating coupler heads against each other in coupling, and a connection between the longitudinally movable shank section and the vertically movable shank section effective to maintain the longitudinally movable shank section substantially rigid laterally when the same is extended by the spring and to permit a limited yielding lateral movement thereof when the same is moved inwardly by the pressure of the coupled coupler heads.

21. In a fluid pressure coupling of the character described, the combination of telescopic shank sections mounted on a car, one of said sections being piyotally mounted on a vertical bracket suspended from the car and having its inner end bearing against the face of said bracket, said inner end being inclined to the vertical whereby the shank section is permitted a limited vertical movement, the outer shank section being movable longitudinally relatively to the vertically movable shank section, a coupler head on the outer end of the longitudinally movable shank section adapted to effect a fluid pressure coupling with a cooperating coupler head mounted on another car, said longitudinally movable shank section being extended when the coupler head is uncoupled and moved inwardly when the coupler head is coupled, and means for permitting the longitudinally movable shank section to yield later-ally when the coupler head is coupled, and for holding said shank section substantially rigid laterally when the coupler head is uncoupled.

22. In a fluid pressure coupling of the character described, the combination of telescopic shank sections mounted on a car, one shank section being movable longitudinally relatively to the other shank section, a conpler head on the outer end of the longitudinally movable shank section adapted to effeet a fluid pressure coupling with a cooperating coupler head mounted on another car, a spring bearing against said coupler head and pressing the head and longitudinally movable shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car, said longitudinally movable shank section being moved inwardly against the tension of the spring by pressure of the cooperating cou pler heads against each other in coupling, a

slot in one of the shank sections having an enlarged portion and a restricted portion, a key carried by the other shank section and slidable within said slot, said key being in the restricted portion of the slot when the longitudinally movable shank section is extended by the spring and thereby locking said section against lateral movement, and said key being in the enlarged portion of the slot when the longitudinally movable shank is moved inwardly by the pressure of the coupled coupler heads and-thereby permitting a limited lateral movement of said longitudinally movable shank section.

23. In a fluid pressure coupling of the character described, the combination of telescopic shank sections mounted on a car, one of said sections being pivotally mounted on a vertical bracket suspended from the car and having its inner end bearing against the-face of said bracket, said inner end being inclined to the vertical whereby the shank section is permitted a limited vertical movement, the other shank section being movable longitudinally relatively to the vertically movable shank section, a coupler head on the outer end of the longitudinally movable shank section adapted to effect a fluid pressure coupling with a cooperating coupler head mounted on another car, a spring bearing against said coupler head and pressing the head and longitudinally movable shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car, said longitudinally movable shank sectionbeing moved inwardly against the tension of the spring by pressure of the cooperating eoupler heads against each other in coupling, a slot in one of the shank seetions and having an enlarged portion and a restricted portion, a key carried by the other shank section and slidable within said slot, said key being in the restricted portion of the slot when the longitudinally movable 'shank section is extended by the spring and thereby locking the same against lateral movement, and said key being in the enlarged portion of the slot when the longitudinally movable shank section is moved inwardly by the pressure of the coupler heads and thereby permitting a limited lateral movement of said longitudinally movable shank section relatively to the other shank section.

24. In a fluid pressure coupling of the character described, the combination of telescopic shank sections mounted on a car, one shank section being movable longitudinally relatively to the other shank section, a coupler head on the outer end of the longitudinally movable shank section adapted toeffeet a fluid pressure coupling with a co? operating coupler head mounted on another car, a spring bearing against said coupler head and pressing the head and longitudinally movable shank section outwardly in the direction of the end of the car, said lonouter end of said shank section and a re gitudinally movable shank section being stricted portion toward the inner end of the moved inwardly against the tension of the same, and a key carried by the other shank 1:

spring by pressure of the cooperating cousection and slidable from end to end within pler heads against each other in coupling, a said slot. slot in the longitudinally movable shank section having an enlarged portion toward the LEON IDAS D. WOODRUFF. 

